Karnataka prisons DIG arrested for using fake SC order to free life convict in 2018

Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services DIG M Somashekar has been taken into custody by the state police in connection with the alleged release of a life convict using a forged Supreme Court order. Somashekar, who was serving as the Chief Superintendent of Bengaluru Central Prison at the time of the incident, was taken into custody on October 4 and produced before a court. He was subsequently remanded to police custody for questioning.

The case dates back to November 2018, when convict Shankar A was released from Bengaluru Central Prison on the basis of a purported Supreme Court order directing his release.

Shankar had been sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Rs 10,000 by a Fast Track Court in 2004 in a kidnapping-for-ransom case. His appeals before the Karnataka High Court and the Supreme Court did not result in the sentence being overturned.

According to the police investigation, a forged copy of a Supreme Court order was prepared showing that an order for Shankar's release had been passed on November 2, 2018. He was released from prison on November 13 that year.

Police said Srikanth S, who was working as a second division assistant in the convict prisoner section at the time, allegedly forged the purported Supreme Court order. He is currently working as a first division assistant in the same section.

The investigation also found allegations that the then Chief Superintendent assisted in securing Shankar's release. The convict's wife was questioned by police and made the allegation during the investigation.DIG TAKEN INTO POLICE CUSTODY

The case was registered after the Superintendent-in-charge of Bengaluru Central Prison filed a complaint at Parappana Agrahara police station on May 20, 2026.

Police said the investigation later found that Somashekar had allegedly failed to cooperate with the probe and had withheld information related to the case. He was therefore taken into custody on October 4 and remanded to police custody for further questioning.- Ends